Good results in ketamine tests
Low doses of oral ketamine can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, a new study finds.
Researchers from the National PTSD Research Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) conducted the first open-label clinical trial to assess the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of low-dose oral ketamine for PTSD.
Unlike traditional ketamine treatments administered via injections or infusions in hospital settings, this study used a liquid form, taken once weekly for six weeks under clinical supervision.
The results were striking: 73 per cent of participants experienced a reduction in PTSD symptoms by more than half within a week after completing treatment.
A month later, 59 per cent maintained these improvements.
“Oral ketamine – administered in small amounts once a week as a drink in a clinical setting – is a safe, well-tolerated form of therapy that could be integrated into ongoing treatment programs for PTSD,” said senior investigator Professor Dan Hermens.
Participants also reported reduced depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, and improved sleep, quality of life, and overall wellbeing.
“That oral ketamine can improve a spectrum of mental health symptoms in a short period is significant, as over 90 per cent of people with PTSD also experience conditions like suicidal ideation, anxiety, alcohol use disorders, and depression,” Professor Hermens added.
The trial involved 22 participants aged 22 to 77, many of whom had PTSD for most of their lives, with most also experiencing clinical depression.
“Oral ketamine patients can be treated at their doctor’s office – while IV ketamine needs to be administered in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision. This limits its use, especially for treatment programs that require daily or intermittent dosing,’ said lead author Dr Bonnie Quigley.
Participants reported fewer side effects than with intravenous ketamine, including headaches, dizziness, and dissociation.
“Importantly, all participants reported that side effects from oral ketamine had resolved before their discharge from the study,” Dr Quigley said.
The dose was gradually increased to balance effectiveness and minimise side effects.
“The study results are promising for future trials to determine treatment strategies for PTSD, incorporating oral ketamine,” Dr Quigley said.